DEAM

Idea Conference 2025

In celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month, Alberta Employment First Network (AEFN) was pleased to present the fourth annual DEAM IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) Conference in Calgary at the Telus Convention Centre on October 3rd.

October 2nd & 3rd in Calgary, Alberta

The conference provided attendees with opportunities to build their knowledge of inclusive and equitable employment and recruitment. Attendees walked away with actionable steps they could apply in their communities and workplaces, helping employers prepare to hire people with disabilities across industries and roles, while supporting sustainable employment and career development based on individual interests.

The 2025 conference call to action was “Authenticity in Action".

Exhibitors

Vecova is a leading edge organization that has been meeting the lifelong and changing needs of persons with disabilities since 1969 through our programs and services, social research, innovation and enterprises. Notably, our Employment Services team is committed to breaking down barriers to employment. We believe that everyone who is ready, willing, and able to work should have the opportunity to do so. We offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to youth with barriers to employment, adults with developmental disabilities, as well as our newest service supporting newcomers to Canada facing intersectional barriers to employment.

Through the power of work, Goodwill provides individuals with disabilities or barriers to employment the opportunity to enhance their lives. Goodwill will be recognized as a leader for the provision of employment opportunities for people with disabilities or barriers to employment through best practices in community and environmental stewardship. They are a people oriented, purpose driven enterprise. "Our pillars are People, Profit with Purpose and the Planet."

Since 1989, MCG Careers has been providing Career and Employment Services to Albertans across the province. Their organizational philosophy emphasizes client-focus and result-orientation; this philosophy has resulted in increased working partnerships with community agencies and employers, allowing us to provide a full continuum of client services.
Programs and services are crafted and delivered via the principle of guiding clients through an individualized, customized, realistic, and supported developmental process toward independence, and goal accomplishment.

AWES is a non-profit organization dedicated to workplace skills training, research, and curriculum development. We specialize in developing customized skills training solutions for employers, organizations, and practitioners that respond to workplace skills needs. As leaders in essential skills training and development, we’ve been serving communities at the local, provincial, and national levels for over 30 years.

Since 1988 the Centre for Newcomers (CFN) has been a key resource for immigrants and refugees of all nationalities in Calgary. A social profit organization, CFN views the integration of newcomers as a two-way process of experience, influence and impact between newcomers and the communities that welcome them.

Lifemark is a proudly Canadian, national healthcare company delivering over 25 years of service excellence across community rehabilitation services, workplace health and wellness, and independent medical assessment services. With over 6000 employees in offices and clinics across the country, they are one of Canada’s largest and most comprehensive healthcare service providers.

Better Belonging began with a shared vision to do better – to create spaces where belonging isn’t conditional, it’s foundational. Their work is grounded in lived experience and shaped by professional expertise in mental health, education, operations, and change management. They take a collaborative approach to everything we do, because they believe transformation happens when we work together.

AAISA is a non-profit umbrella organization representing agencies that provide resettlement, settlement, and integration services to newcomers in the province of Alberta.

CFT7 is a leader in economic development, employment, training, advising and collaborating with Treaty Seven First Nations and their members to build on collective and unique strengths for successes.

Where members matter and benefits count. Alberta Chambers of Commerce knows that community is everything. A healthy community means healthy business conditions. Their role as representatives is to do everything they can to maintain an inclusive, thriving economy in Alberta.

Our Sponsors

2025 Gallery

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Join us for the 2026 DEAM IDEA conference

Bringing together practical tools, sector insights, and real-world experiences that support stronger recruitment strategies, healthier workplaces, and more sustainable employment outcomes for people experiencing disability and mental health-related barriers.